In the bustling streets of Xi’an, Shaanxi province, a small red card clipped to a backpack is making a big difference for elderly people. The card reads, “If you need help, just pat me.”
This is the “Pat Card,” an initiative sparked by 39-year-old Zhao Chen, a full-time volunteer whose decade-long mission to assist older adults has grown into a nationwide movement in China.
For Australians, particularly seniors who travel or live independently, this innovative approach offers inspiration and raises questions about how we support our ageing population, both at home and abroad.
The birth of the Pat Card
The Pat Card story began in 2014 when Zhao’s mother, visiting from a rural hometown to help with his newborn daughter, got lost on a bus in Xi’an. A kind university student helped her find her way to a hospital, an act of compassion that stuck with Zhao.
Since then, he’s made it his mission to assist elderly strangers, especially those navigating unfamiliar urban spaces. Recognising the hesitant, often lost expressions of older adults, Zhao offered directions, carried bags, or simply asked, “Do you need help?”
His efforts remained personal until early 2024, when a video he posted on Douyin, China’s equivalent of TikTok, went viral. The clip showed Zhao helping an elderly man find a subway exit, resonating with millions who saw their own parents or grandparents in the stranger.
One particularly moving encounter in September 2024 saw Zhao assisting an elderly engineer with ankylosing spondylitis through a Xi’an subway station. Strangers chipped in – a passerby offered cash, a vendor provided discounted food, and a taxi driver waived the fare.
The video garnered over 11 million views, inspiring Zhao to turn his solo acts into a broader call for mutual help.
From solo acts to a movement
Zhao’s initiative evolved from a laminated A4 sheet on his backpack to a portable Pat Card, which he began offering for free in December 2024. The response was overwhelming: over 800 people signed up overnight to join the cause.
This led to the creation of the Mutual Help Parent Pact, a grassroots campaign encouraging volunteers to look out for others’ parents as they would their own. Today, the movement boasts over 7,600 verified volunteers across 34 regions in China, including students, teachers, delivery riders, and healthcare workers.
Each volunteer carries a Pat Card and a kit with essentials like tissues, water, and even heart medication.
The initiative has also gone digital. Zhao developed the “Heart Voice Card,” a tool for older adults that includes medical details and emergency contacts. To address privacy concerns, he’s collaborating with a tech company to embed QR codes and chips for secure access to information.
Plans for a digital mutual aid platform are underway, allowing volunteers to register their skills and availability, creating a youth-driven, decentralised support network.
The movement’s impact has crossed borders, with Chinese communities in Malaysia and Canada expressing interest in adopting similar initiatives.
Zhao’s philosophy is simple: “No fees, no certificates. Just help where you can, when you can.”
Why it matters for Australians
For Australians, the Pat Card initiative resonates amid growing concerns about supporting our ageing population, particularly those who travel or live independently. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 4.4 million Australians were aged 65 or older in 2023, representing 17% of the population.
Many seniors travel solo, with National Seniors Australia noting that older travellers value independence but often face challenges like navigating unfamiliar environments or managing health issues abroad.
A 2022 Seniors Travel Research Insights report highlighted that only 18% of Australian seniors took a significant holiday in the previous year, with many citing safety concerns, including fears of getting lost or managing medical emergencies. Initiatives like the Pat Card could inspire similar community-driven support systems in Australia, where seniors might feel more confident travelling or living independently with visible, accessible help.
Falls are another critical issue. In Australia, 238,055 people were hospitalised due to falls in 2022-23, with older adults making up a significant portion. Personal alarms, funded by the Australian Government, are one solution, allowing seniors to call for help in emergencies.
However, the Pat Card’s proactive, human-centred approach – offering immediate, personal assistance – could complement such technologies, fostering a culture of community care.
Lessons for Australia
The Pat Card movement highlights the power of simple, visible gestures to build trust and support. In Australia, where social isolation among seniors is a growing concern, similar initiatives could thrive.
The Department of Social Services’ Be Connected program already helps older Australians navigate digital technology, but expanding this to include community-based, face-to-face support could enhance independence.
For Australian seniors travelling to China, the Pat Card offers reassurance. With volunteers across 34 regions, older travellers might encounter a friendly face willing to help with directions or carry a bag.
However, travellers should still take precautions, such as carrying a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, ensuring travel insurance covers pre-existing conditions, and researching local laws and health services, as advised by Smartraveller.
A vision for the future
Zhao’s work is a reminder that helping others is an investment in our shared future. “One day, I’ll be old too,” he says, “and I hope someone will ask, ‘Uncle, do you need a hand?’”
For Australians, the Pat Card serves as both an inspiration and a call to action. Whether through volunteering, advocating for better support systems, or simply checking in on an elderly neighbour, small gestures can create a ripple effect of care.
As Australia’s senior population grows, initiatives like the Pat Card could spark ideas for community-driven solutions, ensuring our elderly feel safe, supported, and valued, whether at home or exploring the world.
